M-1 has announced that Fedor Emelianenko is following in the footsteps of fellow fighters Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic, Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen and is running for a congressional seat as state representative in the Russian senate.

Here’s the translation of the release courtesy of MiddleEasy, who were first to report on the news:

"The regional political council of the party "United Russia" approved the list of candidates for internal party elections – the primaries. In the list of 58 candidates. No less than 10 000 United Russia vote will determine the best, and who will receive the first place in the party list in the upcoming October elections in the Belgorod Regional Duma. The list of early voting have 24 newcomers who have never participated in elections to the legislature. One of the achievements was the inclusion in the list not only members of United Russia, but also simply to party supporters and even non-party candidates. This is for example the managing director Combine KMA Ruda Vladimir Tom and CEO JBK-1 Yuri Selivanov. They are not only members of the party, but also by working in obldume fourth convocation, not included in the United Russia Duma faction. Among the most notable candidates, in addition to the deputies (Anatolia Zelikow, Victor Filatov, Vadim Cage, Valeria Skruga, Ivan Kulabuhova, Vladimir Kulikovsky) - a famous athlete Fedor Emelianenko, the new director of Belarusian State Technological University Sergey Glagolev (by the way, non-partisan), director of the Institute of Public and municipal government BSU Alexander Mamatov."

Whether or not this means that The Last Emperor’s MMA career is on its last legs is just conjecture at this point, but if he wins the election in Russia, which could happen considering he is very popular in the country, it’s unlikely that he will continue to fight on a full-time basis.

With just two fights remaining on his Strikeforce deal, the timing of the announcement of the October election may lead many to conclude that the dominant heavyweight who sits at the top of most MMA rankings will likely retire when the contract expires, but considering that he is only 33 and has not shown any signs of slowing down, this seems unlikely.

Maybe this is just a scheme by M-1 Global to get the senate to sign over half of their power in exchange for them allowing Fedor to work for them.

All bills going before senate will now be debated via the "Two men enter, one man leave's " process

axhed- June 4, 2010 at 4:35 pm

he's gonna roll a truck tire into the senate, lay it in front of the speaker, swing a sledge over his shoulder, and call that fucking assembly to session.

fatbellyfrank- June 4, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Pure fucken gold gentlemen, props, lolz and +1's all round, must admit I came russian over to Putin my two cents worth,

failingev0lution- June 4, 2010 at 3:57 pm

I tried to hijack the comments for this article, but you were all Russian to stay on topic.

Mr_Misanthropy- June 4, 2010 at 1:39 pm

What's this? These puns are bad? You're right, and now the joke police are banging on the door! You keep 'em Stalin while I Fedor these bad ones to my pet goat!

ArmFarmer- June 4, 2010 at 1:20 pm

"but if he wins the election in Russia, which could happen considering he is very popular in the country, it's unlikely that he will continue to fight on a full-time basis."

Continue? I wish I had a job where coming in once or twice a year was considered full time..

jimbonics- June 4, 2010 at 1:14 pm

bad pun is bad.

Mr_Misanthropy- June 4, 2010 at 11:54 am

Fedor would be fighting full time but I heard his management vadim in a headlock.

James- June 4, 2010 at 11:51 am

LOL @ the idea that Fedor is fighting full-time even now...

Mr_Misanthropy- June 4, 2010 at 11:45 am

I know, it sucks. It was too easy. It's a steaming pile of gorbachev I ever saw one.

Wyatt- June 4, 2010 at 11:44 am

So this pretty much just confirms his ties to the Russian mob right? Politicians are criminals everywhere, but in Russia?! Oh boy, are they criminals over there!

...hey my water tastes like ricin poison

cecils_pupils- June 4, 2010 at 11:37 am

^^^ someone had to do it. well done.

I'd like to see an exhibition grappling match between Fedor and Putin. Putin, BTW, is a black-belt in Judo and has his own set of instructional videos... no joke.

El Famous Burrito- June 4, 2010 at 11:33 am

I'm frowning at that pun, Mr. Misanthropy.

You can't see it, but it is intense.

Mr_Misanthropy- June 4, 2010 at 11:31 am

Doesn't he know he'll have to Putin some really long hours with two careers?

Goog- June 4, 2010 at 11:22 am

"...it's unlikely that he will continue to fight on a full-time basis."

Surely you're not suggesting that what he's doing is fighting on a full-time basis.

How about "...but if he wins the election in Russia, which could happen considering he is very popular in the country, it's unlikely that he will continue to dick around and play games, allowing his management to provide him baseless claims to the throne at the top of the heavyweight rankings on a full-time basis"?

drunkenmime- June 4, 2010 at 11:20 am

Fedor fights on a full time basis?

DBugz- June 4, 2010 at 11:14 am

It has been reported that M-1 will be co-promoting the elections. They do not forsee any delays as long as The Duma has a sufficient amount of M-1 logos displayed during the elections.

ReX13- June 4, 2010 at 11:13 am

"Fedor Emelianenko once slapped a puppy....with another puppy." = pee'd a little.

@ReX13
"I suppose we can all agree that these things happen sometimes in MMA."

You're right, didn't that just happen at a King of the Cage event in Stokton about a month ago? WTF?

El Guapo- June 4, 2010 at 10:46 am

What can be said about Rex that can't be said about the oil spill??

Not sure what that means, exactly, just thought it sounded funny is all. I'll shutup now.

failingev0lution- June 4, 2010 at 10:41 am

lol@Rex's closing line.

ReX13- June 4, 2010 at 10:39 am

Anyone interested in the Jarrod Wyatt story, forum member Blackleg did a great job of summarizing multiple reports. Go to Forum>>Fight Soup>>>Whoa. Pretty crazy shit.

I suppose we can all agree that these things happen sometimes in MMA.

Shaky- June 4, 2010 at 10:37 am

I figured it out. Brock Lesnar runs for Minnesota State Governor on the basis of homophobia and reversing healthcare reform before taking the Presidency. Fedor cooperates with best bud/Judo blackbelt Vladmir Putin to take the position of Russian Premier and there you have it, Fedor vs Brock on the world stage....bring it on, come on!

Shaky- June 4, 2010 at 10:32 am

If the Russian Senate are to co-promote legislative debates with M1 Global does that mean that Kirill Sidelnikov will be taking a position as Speaker of the House perhaps? Or does it just mean that every bill passed will be stamped with the M1 logo?

rlh61- June 4, 2010 at 10:30 am

Hey, MRuss...I made a very similar comment a week or so ago. I think it was on the Nick Diaz intervew. If the guy was an Accountant, do you think they would include that in the headline? You can't trust the mainstream media...always some kind of agenda.

El Guapo- June 4, 2010 at 10:29 am

In a totally unrela... D'oh!

Fedor would beat the shit out of Drago, Apollo Creed and an Obama. Rocky MIGHT have a chance, tho. Maybe.

El Famous Burrito- June 4, 2010 at 10:10 am

@nicey and M Russ

To be fair, the MMA blogosphere never misses a chance to point out Vladimir Matyushenko's previous occupation.

PortlandMMA- June 4, 2010 at 10:09 am

In a totally related post Joran van der Sloot was flown back to Peru.

jimbonics- June 4, 2010 at 10:08 am

^^ another winner

Darkside- June 4, 2010 at 10:05 am

Obama would be like Apollo Creed. And we all saw what happened when he decided to take on the russian.

Viva Hate- June 4, 2010 at 10:03 am

How long until Chael Sonned accuses Fedor of copying him. We may have to wait until after he wins the title and becomes a real jerk.

Almost North- June 4, 2010 at 10:02 am

fedor needs to stop ducking obama

jimbonics- June 4, 2010 at 10:00 am

^^ winner

Frank Mur- June 4, 2010 at 9:56 am

Anatolia Zelikow, Victor Filatov, Vadim Cage, Valeria Skruga, Ivan Kulabuhova....? Figures, even in politics his oponents are just a bunch of CANS!

nicey- June 4, 2010 at 9:55 am

if its totally unrelated, then why fucking post it?

jimbonics- June 4, 2010 at 9:53 am

Well Mike, it was his sparring partner, so it's kinda a mando in this one that it's mentioned.

Note to all sparring partners: Let the wookie win.

Neggar Wants a Watermelon- June 4, 2010 at 9:51 am

Russian wants a perogi.

Mike Russell- June 4, 2010 at 9:49 am

Yeah. I love how the mainstream media feel the need to add that he's an MMA fighter when he has only fought once or twice. Would they list any other hobbies in the headlines?

failingev0lution- June 4, 2010 at 9:45 am

totally unrelated...google news search Jarrod Wyatt.

"Mixed-martial-arts fighter Jarrod Wyatt has been charged with murder, aggravated mayhem and torture in the death of his sparring partner Taylor Powell. A California judge upheld the charges Friday.

Wyatt and his attorney say he was on psychedelic drugs when he committed acts that allegedly include ripping out Powell's heart, cutting off his tongue and face and cooking the body parts in a wood stove."